五、佛陀教育之入門--地藏經
(一)大圓滿
The Great Perfection
佛家的教學目的、方針我們知道了。再要說明的就是佛一生中所說的法。佛說什麼法?就是給我們講解宇宙人生的真相。後來學生把它紀錄下來,就是現在的經典;經典就是佛教的教科書。大乘佛法啟蒙的經典就是地藏經--初學入門一年級的教科書。這層真實義在地藏經上給我們講得很清楚、很明白,但是它不是用言語說的,它用放光來表示。世尊在這個法會上,一開始就大放光明--放無量的光明。經文上記載有:大圓滿光明雲、大慈悲光明雲、大智慧光明雲、大般若光明雲、大三昧光明雲……,一直到大讚歎光明雲。
After understanding the goals and principles of the Buddha’s teachings, we need to deepen our understanding of the Dharma. What is the Dharma? It is the true reality of life and the universe, all the teachings of the Buddhas, which are included in sutras. These ancient textbooks documented all of the Buddha’s teachings and were recorded by his students. The most basic one of Mahayana
Buddhism is the Original Vow of Earth Treasure Bodhisattva Sutra. It can be regarded as a textbook for first grade students, within which, the truth was clearly explained, not with spoken language but with emissions of light. The sutra, as told by Buddha Shakyamuni, begins with his emitting infinite bright lights called:
1. Great Perfection Brightness Cloud,
2. Great Compassion Brightness Cloud,
3. Great Wisdom Brightness Cloud,
4. Great Prajna Brightness Cloud,
5. Great Samadhi Brightness Cloud,
6. Great Auspicious Brightness Cloud,
7. Great Good Fortune Brightness Cloud,
8. Great Merit Brightness Cloud,
9. Great Refuge Brightness Cloud,
10. Great Praise Brightness Cloud.
這十句是表法的,不是只有十種,而是代表無量無邊。因為中國人一般認為從一到十,十是一個圓滿的數字,這和無量壽經裡講「無量」的意思,完全相同;無量壽經上講的「無量」,就是地藏經上講的「圓滿」。圓滿講了十個,那麼無量呢?只講一個「壽」。諸位要曉得,不單單是無量壽啊,是一切都無量!一切無量中壽命是第一!諸位試想:你有無量的田園、無量的金銀財寶,如果沒有壽命,誰去享受呢?所以淨宗用一個字--壽--來代表一切無量,而地藏經裡就用十種光明雲來代表。一即是多,多即是一,無盡的宇宙人生都給我們說明了。
Although ten kinds are given, it does not mean that there are only ten. The number ten is regarded as a symbol of perfection, a complete cycle symbolizing infinity.What is called perfection in the Earth Treasure Sutra is infinity in the Infinite Life Sutra. Not only can life be infinite, everything can be infinite! However, of all infinities, that of life is the most important. We may have boundless
wealth and immeasurable good fortune, but how can we enjoy them if we do not have sufficient life spans? Therefore, the Pure Land School uses “infinite life” to symbolize all infinities. In the Earth Treasure Sutra, the ten Brightness Clouds represent this concept. “One is all and all is one” clearly explains the infinite cosmos and life.
佛到底依據什麼給我們講經說法?給我們說明宇宙人生的真相?第一就是「大圓滿光明雲」。密宗講的「大圓滿」就是顯宗講的「真如自性」;真如自性就是大圓滿。真心、第一義諦,都是顯示大圓滿的意思;下面接著舉出九種都是說明「大圓滿」。給你講「慈悲」,慈悲是圓滿的。給你講「智慧」,智慧是圓滿的。樣樣圓滿、事事圓滿,沒有一件事情不圓滿,這才叫大圓滿。大圓滿就是我們自己的真如本性。佛是從這個地方給我們說出無量無邊的經典,告訴我們宇宙人生的真相。所說的一切全是我們自己本來具足的,都是自己本有的。因此,世尊四十九年所說,沒有說到別人,全說我們自己。所以這個教育跟一般教育的確不一樣,是與我們自己切身相關的。總而言之,釋迦牟尼佛為一切眾生,說什麼法呢?一言以蔽之,就是為我們說大圓滿法。
Upon what did the Buddha base his teachings of life and the universe? First is the Great Perfection Brightness Cloud. The great perfection of Tibetan Buddhism is the true self-nature in Chinese Buddhism. The true self-nature is great perfection. The following nine clouds of compassion, wisdom, etc. are perfect, everything is perfect. This great perfection is our own innate, true self-nature. It was from this initial point that the Buddha imparted the infinite teachings to us, thus revealing the true nature of all phenomena in the universe. Everything that the Buddha taught is innate to us. It is the original true self-nature within each of us. The purpose of his forty-nine years of teaching was to help us to learn how to live happy and fulfilling lives. This unique and complete education is for all sentient beings and is much more vast and extensive than our modern educational system.
世間人每天辛苦、努力的工作,為的是什麼?什麼力量在推動,使他們勤苦工作,早出晚歸?我想大家都能夠答出,是「名、利」。「利」比「名」還重,假如今天一點好處都沒有,一分錢都得不到,他肯不肯去做工呢?自然就懈怠了,提不起勁,不肯工作了。所以,社會運作的動力根源就是「利」,其次就是「名」。
People work hard everyday. What drives them to get up early in the morning and work long hours before coming home? It is the pursuit of prestige and wealth, especially wealth. Would people continue to work if they could not receive payment or some degree of prestige after having worked for a whole day? Of course not. Most would become listless and unwilling to work. Therefore, for most people, the driving force in our society is wealth, followed by prestige.
佛菩薩既不愛名,也不要利,他在十法界比我們還要辛苦,比我們還努力,在那裡認真教學,這是什麼力量在推動呢?這個力量就是第二句講的,「大慈悲光明雲」。諸位想一想,做母親的對於她的孩子--特別是嬰兒--照顧得無微不至,她為的是什麼呢?她是為名?還是為利?她什麼都不是,那是出自於內心的愛護,這個愛心就叫「慈悲心」。佛對於一切眾生,大慈大悲,這種慈愛是平等的、是沒有什麼條件的,這是一個無比強大的力量永恆的在推動著諸佛菩薩,無有止境的在十方世界教化無量無邊的眾生。所以在「大圓滿光明雲」之後就說出「大慈悲光明雲」。
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas desire neither wealth nor fame yet they work harder than we do. What is the driving force behind this conscientious teaching while expecting nothing in return? It is the second Brightness Cloud, the Great Compassion Brightness Cloud. It is like a mother’s love for her children, especially her newborn baby, but it is more profound in depth. A mother does so out of natural
love and compassion, asking for nothing in return. This love is called a heart of compassion. The compassion of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas towards all sentient beings is boundless, unconditional and universal. It is the eternal driving force that compels them to help all sentient beings. Therefore, the Great Compassion Brightness Cloud follows the Great Perfection Brightness Cloud.
我們學佛的人,自己修行,也勸導別人修行,這就是弘法利生。將佛法介紹給別人,推薦給別人,這是什麼力量?也是慈悲的動力,這才是真正的佛法。假如是為「名」去講經,打自己的知名度;或為「利」--講一部經要收多少錢,那就大錯特錯,完全不是佛法,根本與佛法的精神完全相違背。
In order to teach others, we practice cultivation as well as encouraging others to do likewise. We do so to sincerely introduce Buddhism to other people. What is our driving force? Compassion. But if we do so for wealth or fame, then it is purely business and this is totally wrong for it violates the very spirit of Buddhism.
佛法自行、化他沒有任何條件;佛法流通,亦復如是。再看現代印的經書,往往印上「版權所有,翻印必究」。這是生意買賣,不是利生流通。人家送我佛書,我看看版權頁,如果有這八個字,我就不看了。問我為什麼不看?真善知識,為利益眾生,必定不要版權,歡迎翻印;心量大,報恩慈濟心切,心行相應的,其言語文字才可做後學參考。心量窄小的,名利沒放下的人,怎麼能寫出好東西!怎麼能說出大圓滿!那何必浪費時間、浪費精力!
In fact, the circulation of the teachings, including sutras and reference works should be unconditional. Copyrighted materials do not accord with the true spirit of Buddhism. Every time I am presented with a Buddhist book, I first check for the copyright page. If it says “This book is protected by copyright; any unauthorized printing of this book shall lead to punishment”, I will not read the book. If asked why I do not want to read it, my answer is that any true and good knowledge should benefit others unconditionally and that reprinting should be allowed. It would be a waste of time and energy to read copyrighted books. Only the writings of those who are broadminded and kind-hearted and who sincerely practice what they teach deserve to be read and studied. How can we expect a
narrow-minded, profit-seeking person to write kind things and conclude them with the great perfection?
慈悲要建立在理性的基礎上,不能夠感情用事。感情用事是迷、是錯誤的。所以佛門裡常說:「慈悲為本,方便為門。」這是佛教化眾生的兩大原則。後來佛家又說:「慈悲多禍害,方便出下流。」這與正說恰好相反。原因在那裡?如果失掉理性,感情用事,那慈悲就是禍害,方便就下流了。因此接著就講「智慧大圓滿」,大圓滿的智慧流出大圓滿的慈悲。智慧就是方便法,用種種不同的方法手段,加上大慈大悲的力量在推動,這樣才能夠幫助無盡的眾生破迷開悟、離苦得樂。
Compassion is built on rationale and is free of emotions. To be otherwise, it is delusion and therefore is wrong. There are two Buddhist sayings, “Compassion is the essence; convenient means is the way to accommodate people with different capacities”. The other seemingly says the complete opposite, “Compassion often incurs misfortunes and convenience often leads to immorality”. The reason behind this apparent contradiction is that if we ignore rationality and instead yield to emotion, compassion then often results in misfortune while doing favors for someone gives rise to immorality. Hence, this is followed by the Great Wisdom Brightness Cloud, the third of the ten great perfections. Perfect wisdom gives rise to perfect compassion. Wisdom is the method of convenience. Only by wisely
utilizing various methods of wisdom and compassion, can we help sentient beings be enlightened and freed from sufferings.
第四句講「大般若光明雲」--圓滿的般若。「般若」跟「智慧」的差別在那裡?大般若經上講得很明白:「般若無知,無所不知。」「無知」是「般若」;「無所不知」是「智慧」。換句話說,一個是「體」,一個是「用」。或者我們從另一個角度來觀察這兩個名詞,我們的理解就能更清晰一些。能夠說明宇宙現象的這種智慧,叫做「智慧」;能夠斷煩惱、破無明的智慧,叫做「般若」。般若智慧能斷無明煩惱,稱為「根本智」。能夠解釋宇宙萬有現象,稱為「後得智」。諸位要知道:「後得智」是從「根本智」裡生起來的。如果自己對於整個宇宙的大圓滿,你不能徹底證得,怎麼能說得出來呢。
The next brightness cloud is the Great Prajna (Intuitive Wisdom) Brightness Cloud. What is the difference between intuitive wisdom and wisdom? The Great Wisdom Sutra states, “Prajna innocence, knowing everything”. It is intuitive wisdom without knowing and yet knowing everything. Without knowing is intuitive wisdom; knowing everything is wisdom. In other words, one is essence and the other is
function. From a different perspective, wisdom is the knowledge of things and the realization of truth. Intuitive wisdom, our original wisdom, is that which can free people from worries and afflictions. Acquired wisdom is that which can interpret all phenomena in the universe. It arises from the original wisdom. If we cannot completely attain the great perfection of the universe, how can we teach about it to others?
修行人證得的是般若波羅蜜。像中國的禪宗不是單講六度裡的第五度--禪定波羅蜜,而是講「般若波羅蜜」。你看六祖惠能大師,在壇經中就叫大家總念「摩訶般若波羅蜜多」,可見禪宗修的是般若,不只是禪定。般若、智慧;一個是講智慧之體,一個是講智慧之作用。一個是「無知」,一個是「無所不知」。諸位一定要知道,只有無知的般若才能夠斷煩惱、破無明。無明、煩惱破盡了,就證得自性的大圓滿,恢復自性本有的能力,它起作用就是無所不知、無所不能;智慧、般若的光明雲,它含有這麼深的意義。這兩種智慧(智慧跟般若),都是前面教學目的所說的「無上正等正覺」,也就是「究竟圓滿的智慧」。
When worries are completely eradicated and ignorance dispelled, we can attain our own great perfection and restore our original ability. From that point on, we are in a state of total awareness and capable of doing everything, we are all-knowing with infinite abilities. The brightness clouds of wisdom and intuitive wisdom contain profound meanings and are the perfect complete wisdom.
(一)大圓滿
The Great Perfection
佛家的教學目的、方針我們知道了。再要說明的就是佛一生中所說的法。佛說什麼法?就是給我們講解宇宙人生的真相。後來學生把它紀錄下來,就是現在的經典;經典就是佛教的教科書。大乘佛法啟蒙的經典就是地藏經--初學入門一年級的教科書。這層真實義在地藏經上給我們講得很清楚、很明白,但是它不是用言語說的,它用放光來表示。世尊在這個法會上,一開始就大放光明--放無量的光明。經文上記載有:大圓滿光明雲、大慈悲光明雲、大智慧光明雲、大般若光明雲、大三昧光明雲……,一直到大讚歎光明雲。
After understanding the goals and principles of the Buddha’s teachings, we need to deepen our understanding of the Dharma. What is the Dharma? It is the true reality of life and the universe, all the teachings of the Buddhas, which are included in sutras. These ancient textbooks documented all of the Buddha’s teachings and were recorded by his students. The most basic one of Mahayana
Buddhism is the Original Vow of Earth Treasure Bodhisattva Sutra. It can be regarded as a textbook for first grade students, within which, the truth was clearly explained, not with spoken language but with emissions of light. The sutra, as told by Buddha Shakyamuni, begins with his emitting infinite bright lights called:
1. Great Perfection Brightness Cloud,
2. Great Compassion Brightness Cloud,
3. Great Wisdom Brightness Cloud,
4. Great Prajna Brightness Cloud,
5. Great Samadhi Brightness Cloud,
6. Great Auspicious Brightness Cloud,
7. Great Good Fortune Brightness Cloud,
8. Great Merit Brightness Cloud,
9. Great Refuge Brightness Cloud,
10. Great Praise Brightness Cloud.
這十句是表法的,不是只有十種,而是代表無量無邊。因為中國人一般認為從一到十,十是一個圓滿的數字,這和無量壽經裡講「無量」的意思,完全相同;無量壽經上講的「無量」,就是地藏經上講的「圓滿」。圓滿講了十個,那麼無量呢?只講一個「壽」。諸位要曉得,不單單是無量壽啊,是一切都無量!一切無量中壽命是第一!諸位試想:你有無量的田園、無量的金銀財寶,如果沒有壽命,誰去享受呢?所以淨宗用一個字--壽--來代表一切無量,而地藏經裡就用十種光明雲來代表。一即是多,多即是一,無盡的宇宙人生都給我們說明了。
Although ten kinds are given, it does not mean that there are only ten. The number ten is regarded as a symbol of perfection, a complete cycle symbolizing infinity.What is called perfection in the Earth Treasure Sutra is infinity in the Infinite Life Sutra. Not only can life be infinite, everything can be infinite! However, of all infinities, that of life is the most important. We may have boundless
wealth and immeasurable good fortune, but how can we enjoy them if we do not have sufficient life spans? Therefore, the Pure Land School uses “infinite life” to symbolize all infinities. In the Earth Treasure Sutra, the ten Brightness Clouds represent this concept. “One is all and all is one” clearly explains the infinite cosmos and life.
佛到底依據什麼給我們講經說法?給我們說明宇宙人生的真相?第一就是「大圓滿光明雲」。密宗講的「大圓滿」就是顯宗講的「真如自性」;真如自性就是大圓滿。真心、第一義諦,都是顯示大圓滿的意思;下面接著舉出九種都是說明「大圓滿」。給你講「慈悲」,慈悲是圓滿的。給你講「智慧」,智慧是圓滿的。樣樣圓滿、事事圓滿,沒有一件事情不圓滿,這才叫大圓滿。大圓滿就是我們自己的真如本性。佛是從這個地方給我們說出無量無邊的經典,告訴我們宇宙人生的真相。所說的一切全是我們自己本來具足的,都是自己本有的。因此,世尊四十九年所說,沒有說到別人,全說我們自己。所以這個教育跟一般教育的確不一樣,是與我們自己切身相關的。總而言之,釋迦牟尼佛為一切眾生,說什麼法呢?一言以蔽之,就是為我們說大圓滿法。
Upon what did the Buddha base his teachings of life and the universe? First is the Great Perfection Brightness Cloud. The great perfection of Tibetan Buddhism is the true self-nature in Chinese Buddhism. The true self-nature is great perfection. The following nine clouds of compassion, wisdom, etc. are perfect, everything is perfect. This great perfection is our own innate, true self-nature. It was from this initial point that the Buddha imparted the infinite teachings to us, thus revealing the true nature of all phenomena in the universe. Everything that the Buddha taught is innate to us. It is the original true self-nature within each of us. The purpose of his forty-nine years of teaching was to help us to learn how to live happy and fulfilling lives. This unique and complete education is for all sentient beings and is much more vast and extensive than our modern educational system.
世間人每天辛苦、努力的工作,為的是什麼?什麼力量在推動,使他們勤苦工作,早出晚歸?我想大家都能夠答出,是「名、利」。「利」比「名」還重,假如今天一點好處都沒有,一分錢都得不到,他肯不肯去做工呢?自然就懈怠了,提不起勁,不肯工作了。所以,社會運作的動力根源就是「利」,其次就是「名」。
People work hard everyday. What drives them to get up early in the morning and work long hours before coming home? It is the pursuit of prestige and wealth, especially wealth. Would people continue to work if they could not receive payment or some degree of prestige after having worked for a whole day? Of course not. Most would become listless and unwilling to work. Therefore, for most people, the driving force in our society is wealth, followed by prestige.
佛菩薩既不愛名,也不要利,他在十法界比我們還要辛苦,比我們還努力,在那裡認真教學,這是什麼力量在推動呢?這個力量就是第二句講的,「大慈悲光明雲」。諸位想一想,做母親的對於她的孩子--特別是嬰兒--照顧得無微不至,她為的是什麼呢?她是為名?還是為利?她什麼都不是,那是出自於內心的愛護,這個愛心就叫「慈悲心」。佛對於一切眾生,大慈大悲,這種慈愛是平等的、是沒有什麼條件的,這是一個無比強大的力量永恆的在推動著諸佛菩薩,無有止境的在十方世界教化無量無邊的眾生。所以在「大圓滿光明雲」之後就說出「大慈悲光明雲」。
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas desire neither wealth nor fame yet they work harder than we do. What is the driving force behind this conscientious teaching while expecting nothing in return? It is the second Brightness Cloud, the Great Compassion Brightness Cloud. It is like a mother’s love for her children, especially her newborn baby, but it is more profound in depth. A mother does so out of natural
love and compassion, asking for nothing in return. This love is called a heart of compassion. The compassion of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas towards all sentient beings is boundless, unconditional and universal. It is the eternal driving force that compels them to help all sentient beings. Therefore, the Great Compassion Brightness Cloud follows the Great Perfection Brightness Cloud.
我們學佛的人,自己修行,也勸導別人修行,這就是弘法利生。將佛法介紹給別人,推薦給別人,這是什麼力量?也是慈悲的動力,這才是真正的佛法。假如是為「名」去講經,打自己的知名度;或為「利」--講一部經要收多少錢,那就大錯特錯,完全不是佛法,根本與佛法的精神完全相違背。
In order to teach others, we practice cultivation as well as encouraging others to do likewise. We do so to sincerely introduce Buddhism to other people. What is our driving force? Compassion. But if we do so for wealth or fame, then it is purely business and this is totally wrong for it violates the very spirit of Buddhism.
佛法自行、化他沒有任何條件;佛法流通,亦復如是。再看現代印的經書,往往印上「版權所有,翻印必究」。這是生意買賣,不是利生流通。人家送我佛書,我看看版權頁,如果有這八個字,我就不看了。問我為什麼不看?真善知識,為利益眾生,必定不要版權,歡迎翻印;心量大,報恩慈濟心切,心行相應的,其言語文字才可做後學參考。心量窄小的,名利沒放下的人,怎麼能寫出好東西!怎麼能說出大圓滿!那何必浪費時間、浪費精力!
In fact, the circulation of the teachings, including sutras and reference works should be unconditional. Copyrighted materials do not accord with the true spirit of Buddhism. Every time I am presented with a Buddhist book, I first check for the copyright page. If it says “This book is protected by copyright; any unauthorized printing of this book shall lead to punishment”, I will not read the book. If asked why I do not want to read it, my answer is that any true and good knowledge should benefit others unconditionally and that reprinting should be allowed. It would be a waste of time and energy to read copyrighted books. Only the writings of those who are broadminded and kind-hearted and who sincerely practice what they teach deserve to be read and studied. How can we expect a
narrow-minded, profit-seeking person to write kind things and conclude them with the great perfection?
慈悲要建立在理性的基礎上,不能夠感情用事。感情用事是迷、是錯誤的。所以佛門裡常說:「慈悲為本,方便為門。」這是佛教化眾生的兩大原則。後來佛家又說:「慈悲多禍害,方便出下流。」這與正說恰好相反。原因在那裡?如果失掉理性,感情用事,那慈悲就是禍害,方便就下流了。因此接著就講「智慧大圓滿」,大圓滿的智慧流出大圓滿的慈悲。智慧就是方便法,用種種不同的方法手段,加上大慈大悲的力量在推動,這樣才能夠幫助無盡的眾生破迷開悟、離苦得樂。
Compassion is built on rationale and is free of emotions. To be otherwise, it is delusion and therefore is wrong. There are two Buddhist sayings, “Compassion is the essence; convenient means is the way to accommodate people with different capacities”. The other seemingly says the complete opposite, “Compassion often incurs misfortunes and convenience often leads to immorality”. The reason behind this apparent contradiction is that if we ignore rationality and instead yield to emotion, compassion then often results in misfortune while doing favors for someone gives rise to immorality. Hence, this is followed by the Great Wisdom Brightness Cloud, the third of the ten great perfections. Perfect wisdom gives rise to perfect compassion. Wisdom is the method of convenience. Only by wisely
utilizing various methods of wisdom and compassion, can we help sentient beings be enlightened and freed from sufferings.
第四句講「大般若光明雲」--圓滿的般若。「般若」跟「智慧」的差別在那裡?大般若經上講得很明白:「般若無知,無所不知。」「無知」是「般若」;「無所不知」是「智慧」。換句話說,一個是「體」,一個是「用」。或者我們從另一個角度來觀察這兩個名詞,我們的理解就能更清晰一些。能夠說明宇宙現象的這種智慧,叫做「智慧」;能夠斷煩惱、破無明的智慧,叫做「般若」。般若智慧能斷無明煩惱,稱為「根本智」。能夠解釋宇宙萬有現象,稱為「後得智」。諸位要知道:「後得智」是從「根本智」裡生起來的。如果自己對於整個宇宙的大圓滿,你不能徹底證得,怎麼能說得出來呢。
The next brightness cloud is the Great Prajna (Intuitive Wisdom) Brightness Cloud. What is the difference between intuitive wisdom and wisdom? The Great Wisdom Sutra states, “Prajna innocence, knowing everything”. It is intuitive wisdom without knowing and yet knowing everything. Without knowing is intuitive wisdom; knowing everything is wisdom. In other words, one is essence and the other is
function. From a different perspective, wisdom is the knowledge of things and the realization of truth. Intuitive wisdom, our original wisdom, is that which can free people from worries and afflictions. Acquired wisdom is that which can interpret all phenomena in the universe. It arises from the original wisdom. If we cannot completely attain the great perfection of the universe, how can we teach about it to others?
修行人證得的是般若波羅蜜。像中國的禪宗不是單講六度裡的第五度--禪定波羅蜜,而是講「般若波羅蜜」。你看六祖惠能大師,在壇經中就叫大家總念「摩訶般若波羅蜜多」,可見禪宗修的是般若,不只是禪定。般若、智慧;一個是講智慧之體,一個是講智慧之作用。一個是「無知」,一個是「無所不知」。諸位一定要知道,只有無知的般若才能夠斷煩惱、破無明。無明、煩惱破盡了,就證得自性的大圓滿,恢復自性本有的能力,它起作用就是無所不知、無所不能;智慧、般若的光明雲,它含有這麼深的意義。這兩種智慧(智慧跟般若),都是前面教學目的所說的「無上正等正覺」,也就是「究竟圓滿的智慧」。
When worries are completely eradicated and ignorance dispelled, we can attain our own great perfection and restore our original ability. From that point on, we are in a state of total awareness and capable of doing everything, we are all-knowing with infinite abilities. The brightness clouds of wisdom and intuitive wisdom contain profound meanings and are the perfect complete wisdom.